Mossberg first showed up as a gunmaker in the early 20th century as a family-owned and -operated company crafting pistols, however it was in the 1960s when Mossberg’s future in the business changed with the advent of the pump-action Model 500 shotgun. Garnering attention of the U.S. government, the Model 500 went on to arm every branch of the U.S. military. This watershed moment turned the family’s brand into an engineering powerhouse and serious maker of tactical shotguns. While the Model 500 maintains its success even still today, Mossberg has a cutting-edge lineup of semi-auto shotguns, too, which brings us to a prime example of where the brand is today: the 940 Pro Tactical SPX. Watch our video above to see this latest Mossberg in use on the range.
The Mossberg 940-series guns are top-tier products and come with evolutionary refinements previous models just don’t have. In 2020, with a little help from world-renowned shooter Jerry Miculek, Mossberg announced its 940 JM Pro. That award-winning design has since advanced to include line extensions for niche specific tasks, and in the case of the 940 Pro Tactical SPX, its purpose is for use in extreme environments, all while defending life and limb, thanks to a number of purpose-driven enhancements.
Measuring 37” front to back and weighing just over 7 lbs., the 12 gauge 940 Pro Tactical SPX comes fitted with a short, 18.5” barrel for close-quarter use. Unlike many other guns of its type, it also comes threaded for chokes, adding versatility to the platform. It is important to note that a cylinder bore choke does come installed from the factory. A 3” chamber is also provided. A self-regulating gas system is employed for longevity and reliability. Corrosion-resistant internal parts and finishes give users up to 1,500 fired rounds before it’s time to break it down for cleaning.
Beneath the barrel is an extended magazine tube with capacity for up to seven rounds. Moving rearward you’ll find Mossberg enhanced the polymer fore-end of the 940, which hugs the barrel, provides heat deflection, enhanced user purchase thanks to aggressive stippling, and accessory points front and back for quick-detach slings and M-Lok-attached hardware. A color-matched polymer buttstock adorns the gun’s rear and comes with sling points and stippled grip panels along with a squishy recoil pad. Interestingly, length of pull is adjustable from a paltry 12” to a lengthier 14.25”, which we find will be a boon to those wearing plate carriers or other thick gear, as well as family defenders of all sizes.
On the range is where users will appreciate the oversized controls and use of the 940 Pro Tactical SPX. Loading is enhanced by an enlarged and beveled port beneath the receiver while keeping rounds on target is made easy, thanks to a protected aperture rear sight and fiber-optic front. However, should a red-dot be desired, our testers found much utility in Mossberg’s removable optic plate to allow for the use of RMSc-pattern optics, in addition to traditional drill-and-tapped optic mounts. Considering the end use for a scattergun of this caliber, we appreciate what Mossberg has done with its 940. It even comes with a Vang Comp shell carrier.
Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical SPX Specifications
Action Type: gas-operated, semi-automatic shotgun
Gauge: 12; 3″ chamber
Barrel: 18.5″ steel; matte blued finish; cylinder bore AccuChoke
Receiver: aluminum; anodized finish
Magazine: seven-round tubular
Sights: wing-protected aperture rear, fiber-optic post front; RMSc-pattern optic cut, drilled-and-tapped
Stock: black synthetic; adjustable
Overall Length: 37″
Weight: 7 lbs., 4 ozs.
MSRP: $1,190
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